Today in Soap Opera History (December 21)

1981: GH's Laura was offered the "Miss Star Eyes" job.
1982: Barrington and Burgess plotted on Capitol.
1987: Guiding Light's Johnny Bauer saw it snow.
2007: A dollhouse came to life on As the World Turns.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1966: On Dark Shadows, Sam Evans (David Ford) called Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds) and told him to meet him at the Blue Whale because "the worst possible thing that could happen, has happened." At the Inn, Sam gleefully announced that Laura, Roger's wife, had come home.

1966: On Peyton Place, Rodney Harrington (Ryan O'Neal) had a hard time processing the revelation Hannah Cord made on the witness stand revealing that Rodney's mother had given away two illegitimate children. Martin Peyton (George Macready) did his best to explain to Rodney what the situation was like at the time.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 21)

1981: GH's Laura was offered the "Miss Star Eyes" job.
1982: Barrington and Burgess plotted on Capitol.
1987: GL's Johnny saw it snow.  2007: A dollhouse came
to life on ATWT.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1966: On Dark Shadows, Sam Evans (David Ford) called Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds) and told him to meet him at the Blue Whale because "the worst possible thing that could happen, has happened." At the Inn, Sam gleefully announced that Laura, Roger's wife, had come home.

1966: On Peyton Place, Rodney Harrington (Ryan O'Neal) had a hard time processing the revelation Hannah Cord made on the witness stand revealing that Rodney's mother had given away two illegitimate children. Martin Peyton (George Macready) did his best to explain to Rodney what the situation was like at the time.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 21)

1981: GH's Laura was offered the "Miss Star Eyes" job.
1982: Barrington and Burgess plotted on Capitol.
1987: GL's Johnny saw it snow.  2007: A dollhouse came
to life on ATWT.

"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1966: On Dark Shadows, Sam Evans (David Ford) called Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds) and told him to meet him at the Blue Whale because "the worst possible thing that could happen, has happened." At the Inn, Sam gleefully announced that Laura, Roger's wife, had come home.

1966: On Peyton Place, Rodney Harrington (Ryan O'Neal) had a hard time processing the revelation Hannah Cord made on the witness stand revealing that Rodney's mother had given away two illegitimate children. Martin Peyton (George Macready) did his best to explain to Rodney what the situation was like at the time.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 21)

1981: GH's Laura was offered the "Miss Star Eyes" job.
1982: Barrington and Burgess plotted on Capitol.
1987: GL's Johnny saw it snow.  2007: A dollhouse came
to life on ATWT.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1966: On Dark Shadows, Sam Evans (David Ford) called Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds) and told him to meet him at the Blue Whale because "the worst possible thing that could happen, has happened." At the Inn, Sam gleefully announced that Laura, Roger's wife, had come home.

1966: On Peyton Place, Rodney Harrington (Ryan O'Neal) had a hard time processing the revelation Hannah Cord made on the witness stand revealing that Rodney's mother had given away two illegitimate children. Martin Peyton (George Macready) did his best to explain to Rodney what the situation was like at the time.

NEWS: Stephen Schnetzer, Justin Hartley, BethAnn Bonner, Andy Cohen, Jason Priestley, Aiden Turner

Would The Young and the Restless star Justin Hartley make a good new MacGyver?
Alan Carter thinks he would. "Not only does Hartley look a little like Richard Dean Anderson but he’s got the soap opera hunk thing down pat," he writes. CBS is reportedly re-booting the popular '80s series.

Stephen Schnetzer

Another World alum Stephen Schnetzer set for "Broken Glass" in Westport
Schnetzer will soon appear at the Westport Country Playhouse in Arthur Miller's play, "Broken Glass."

In between work on television and in the theatre, Schnetzer does voiceover work. "It's a good income stream so I could do develop my craft," he says. He even did commercials in French, including one for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes. "I enjoy that anonymity especially because some people know me from soap operas...I didn't want that facial recognition. It's the most competitive challenging part for performers because there are so many good voices and material out there. It's highly competitive. Sometimes I get lucky. I roll the dice. I get an income stream. It pays residuals. And its gets me out of the house."

Andy Cohen on his Real Housewives franchise: "I think the show has replaced the soap opera"
"You never know what’s going to happen, as unreal as it seems," Cohen says. "It’s sometimes fun to laugh at, other times to laugh with. Even though these women don’t behave like you or I might, there’s something weirdly relatable, about friendship and marriage and motherhood, that connects with people."

All My Children alum Aiden Turner welcomes first child with girlfriend Jessica Miller
"The new addition to the family 🍼 #Baby Tristan Turner He puts a big #smile on my face "

Turner (Aidan on AMC) currently stars on OWN's If Loving You Is Wrong.

One Life to Live alum BethAnn Bonner and wife Maria Fuenmayor welcome twins
Tweeted Bonner (Talia on OLTL): "On September 22nd, God helped us bring Ruby Colette & Simon Lucas n2 this beautiful world! We are SO HAPPY! ❤️"

Jason Priestley didn't appreciate former Beverly Hills, 90210 co-star Tori Spelling revealing they had a summer fling
When a fan asked on Twitter if the tryst was true, he replied, "I'm not getting into this... It's nobody's business... Either way..."

Today in Soap Opera History (December 21)

1981: GH's Laura was offered the "Miss Star Eyes" job.
1982: Barrington and Burgess plotted on Capitol.
1987: GL's Johnny saw it snow.  2007: A dollhouse came
to life on ATWT.

"Most of us spend too much time on the last twenty-four hours and too little on the last six thousand years."
― Will Durant

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1966: On Dark Shadows, Sam Evans (David Ford) called Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds) and told him to meet him at the Blue Whale because "the worst possible thing that could happen, has happened." At the Inn, Sam gleefully announced that Laura, Roger's wife, had come home.

1966: On Peyton Place, Martin Peyton (George Macready) and Rodney Harrington (Ryan O'Neal) talked about Hannah Cord's testimony in court that Rodney's mother gave away two illegitimate children.



1967: On Days of our Lives, Sandy (Heather North) was full of sarcasm and contempt when Kitty picked her up at the airport, but turned on the charm when she arrived to meet Tom (Macdonald Carey) and Alice (Frances Reid).

1967: On Another World, Bill Matthews (Joseph Gallison) and Missy Palmer (Carol Roux) were married in the Matthews family living room. Rachel (Robin Strasser) caught the bouquet. She married Bill's best man, Russ, two weeks later.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 21)

1981: GH's Laura was offered the "Miss Star Eyes" job.
1982: Barrington and Burgess plotted on CAPITOL.
1987: GL's Johnny saw it snow.  2007: A dollhouse came
to life on ATWT.

"The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see."
- Winston Churchill

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1967: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Sandy (Heather North) was full of sarcasm and contempt when Kitty picked her up at the airport, but turned on the charm when she arrived to meet Tom (Macdonald Carey) and Alice (Frances Reid).

1967: On ANOTHER WORLD, Bill Matthews (Joseph Gallison) and Missy Palmer (Carol Roux) were married in the Matthews family living room. Rachel (Robin Strasser) caught the bouquet. She married Bill's best man, Russ, two weeks later.

1971: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Julie Jamison died (off-screen) in Santa Lucia Hospital.

1978: On ANOTHER WORLD, Charlie (Fred J. Scollay) fired Larry (Rick Porter) but wasn't able to convince Clarice (Gail Brown) that Larry was bad news.

1981: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Laura (Genie Francis) was offered a job as Miss Star Eyes.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 21)

Joseph Gallison

On this date in...

1967: On ANOTHER WORLD, Bill Matthews (Joseph Gallison) and Missy Palmer (Carol Roux) were married in the Matthews family living room. Rachel (Robin Strasser) caught the bouquet. She married Bill's best man, Russ, two weeks later.

1971: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Julie Jamison died (off-screen) in Santa Lucia Hospital.

1978: On ANOTHER WORLD, Charlie (Fred J. Scollay) fired Larry (Rick Porter) but wasn't able to convince Clarice (Gail Brown) that Larry was bad news.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 3.47 BethAnn Bonner Shares Her Excitement About Upcoming Wedding

Love Out Loud VII, an annual event sponsored by We Love Soaps and Poz magazine, was held on Wednesday, May 16 at Prohibition in New York City. It's an AIDS Walk NY fundraiser: the hosts, the sponsors, and (this is truly wonderful) the celebrities are all donated their time to the cause!

In the latest episode of our web series, WE LOVE SOAPS TV, we catch up with former ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GUIDING LIGHT actress BethAnn Bonner who shares the funny (and sweet) story about the night last fall she became engaged to her girlfriend. The happy couple is planning and October 2012 wedding.

Watch our latest episode below.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 21)

On this date in...

1971: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Julie Jamison died (off-screen) in Santa Lucia Hospital.

1986: DAYS OF OUR LIVES star James Reynolds (Abe) married Lissa Layng.

1987: On GUIDING LIGHT, Johnny was excited to see it snow.

Queen Bea: A Soapsical Interview With BethAnn Bonner

Roger Newcomb and I nearly laughed our heads off at the February 9th performance of "Queen Bea: A Soapsical."  This is a hilarious new musical featuring some of your favorite ONE LIFE TO LIVE stars.  There is one more performance on Saturday February 13th, in Manhattan.  This is absolutely a can't-miss production for soap fans. You can still reserve a seat by calling 212.695.6909.  Then enjoy the below interview with BethAnn Bonner, who plays the eponymous diva of the show. 

We Love Soaps: That play was so awesome. It was wonderful to see you in the role of “Queen Bea.”
BethAnn Bonner: It was a little bit different from the roles you’ve seen me in since I started on soap operas.

We Love Soaps: And even before that on I WANNA BE A SOAP STAR.  I was rooting for you that season! Truly, you can ask my partner. 
BethAnn Bonner: I lost with flying colors but it was one of the funnest experiences. 

We Love Soaps: You’re like the Jennifer Hudson of I WANNA BE A SOAP STAR.  You’re career has turned out so much better than if you had won.
BethAnn Bonner: I had never even seen a soap opera before I went on that show.  I was brought up in a very Christian household where we weren’t allowed to watch any secular TV.  I was like, “I’m going to audition for the reality television show,” and I watched one episode of ALL MY CHILDREN to prep myself.  Then I went, had so much fun, got on the show, and the rest is history.